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BMC Health Services Research
Published in: BMC Health Services Research 1/2009

Open Access 01-12-2009 | Correspondence

Researching the mental health needs of hard-to-reach groups: managing multiple sources of evidence

Authors: Christopher Dowrick, Linda Gask, Suzanne Edwards, Saadia Aseem, Peter Bower, Heather Burroughs, Amy Catlin, Carolyn Chew-Graham, Pam Clarke, Mark Gabbay, Simon Gowers, Derek Hibbert, Marija Kovandzic, Jonathan Lamb, Karina Lovell, Anne Rogers, Mari Lloyd-Williams, Waquas Waheed, the AMP Group

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2009

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Abstract

Background

Common mental health problems impose substantial challenges to patients, carers, and health care systems. A range of interventions have demonstrable efficacy in improving the lives of people experiencing such problems. However many people are disadvantaged, either because they are unable to access primary care, or because access does not lead to adequate help. New methods are needed to understand the problems of access and generate solutions. In this paper we describe our methodological approach to managing multiple and diverse sources of evidence, within a research programme to increase equity of access to high quality mental health services in primary care.

Methods

We began with a scoping review to identify the range and extent of relevant published material, and establish key concepts related to access. We then devised a strategy to collect - in parallel - evidence from six separate sources: a systematic review of published quantitative data on access-related studies; a meta-synthesis of published qualitative data on patient perspectives; dialogues with local stakeholders; a review of grey literature from statutory and voluntary service providers; secondary analysis of patient transcripts from previous qualitative studies; and primary data from interviews with service users and carers.
We synthesised the findings from these diverse sources, made judgements on key emerging issues in relation to needs and services, and proposed a range of potential interventions. These proposals were debated and refined using iterative electronic and focus group consultation procedures involving international experts, local stakeholders and service users.

Conclusions

Our methods break new ground by generating and synthesising multiple sources of evidence, connecting scientific understanding with the perspectives of users, in order to develop innovative ways to meet the mental health needs of under-served groups.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Researching the mental health needs of hard-to-reach groups: managing multiple sources of evidence
Authors
Christopher Dowrick
Linda Gask
Suzanne Edwards
Saadia Aseem
Peter Bower
Heather Burroughs
Amy Catlin
Carolyn Chew-Graham
Pam Clarke
Mark Gabbay
Simon Gowers
Derek Hibbert
Marija Kovandzic
Jonathan Lamb
Karina Lovell
Anne Rogers
Mari Lloyd-Williams
Waquas Waheed
the AMP Group
Publication date
01-12-2009
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2009
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-9-226

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